Air conditioner and communication apparatus and method thereof

ABSTRACT

The air conditioner includes indoor units, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor unit using a first signal, a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal, and a communication apparatus installed in the outdoor unit or one of the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit to communicate with the central controller using the second signal, whereby signals with different frequency bands can be used upon communication between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and communication between the outdoor unit or indoor unit and the central controller, so as to reduce signal interference and enhance efficiency of a system operation, resulting in improving safety of the system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, an air conditioner having an outdoor unit or an indoor unit capable of performing communications with a central controller using a plurality of communication methods, and a communication apparatus and method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, an air conditioner, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an outdoor unit 200 to control distribution and circulation of a refrigerant, an indoor unit 100 connected to the outdoor unit to supply air into each indoor, and a central controller 300 connected to the outdoor unit 200 for center control of operations of the air conditioner.

The central controller 300 is provided, by a user's registration, with network information and setting information relating to the air conditioner, such as device information on the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200. The central controller 300 includes a control program capable of individually controlling each unit according to the registered setting information.

In recent time, in order to increase management efficiency of the air conditioners installed in public buildings, such as schools, offices and the like, the air conditioner generally includes the central controller 300. Also, as the performance of the outdoor unit 200 is improved, it is a trend to connect a plurality of indoor units 100 to a specific outdoor unit 200 for sharing, and integrally control the plurality of indoor units 100 and the outdoor unit 200 by the central controller 300.

The central controller 300 requires communication lines for communication with the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 100. To this end, separate dedicated lines may be used, or power lines may be used by the indoor unit 100 for data transmission and reception by a power line communication method, whereby a communication line is not separately needed at the indoor unit 100. However, when a transfer path (line) such as the same pipe or the dedicated line is used as a transfer path for communication between the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 and communication between the central controller 300 and the outdoor unit 200, signal interference may be caused between signals transferred along the transfer path.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, to obviate those problems, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide an air conditioner capable of minimizing a signal interference between signals transferred by using the same refrigerant pipe, and a communication apparatus and method thereof.

Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide an air conditioner capable of efficiently operating a system by performing communication with a central controller using a plurality of communication methods, and a communication apparatus and method thereof.

Solution to Problem

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor unit using a first signal, a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal, and a communication apparatus installed in the outdoor unit or one of the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit to communicate with the central controller using the second signal. Here, the communication apparatus may perform communication between the at least one outdoor unit using the first and second signals.

The communication apparatus may include a wireless communication unit to perform communication with the central controller using a wireless communication method, a signal converting unit to convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method, or convert the wireless signal into the second signal according to a preset communication method, and a communication unit to communicate with the outdoor unit or the indoor units using the first and second signals. Here, the communication unit may be a pipe communication unit or a dedicated line communication unit to perform communication using the first and second signals according to a pipe communication method or a dedicated line communication method.

The wireless communication unit may allow the communication between the outdoor units by using wireless signals corresponding to the first and second signals according to the wireless communication method. Here, the outdoor unit or indoor unit receiving the wireless signal may be installed the closest to the central controller.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a communication apparatus for an air conditioner, the air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the outdoor unit using a first signal, and a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, wherein the communication apparatus may be installed in the outdoor unit or one of the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit to perform communication with the central controller using a wireless communication method, convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a preset communication method, and communicate with the outdoor unit or the indoor unit using the first and second signals having frequency bands spaced from each other.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the communication apparatus may include a wireless communication unit to perform communication with the central controller according to a wireless communication method, a signal converting unit to convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a preset communication method, and a communication unit to communicate with the outdoor unit or the indoor unit using the first and second signals according to the preset communication method. Here, the communication unit may be a pipe communication unit or a dedicated line communication unit to perform communication using the first and second signals according to a pipe communication method or a dedicated line communication method.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the communication unit may include a data transmission/reception portion to receive or transmit data from or to the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, and a communication signal converter to convert the data into a communication signal or the communication signal into the data.

The communication unit may further include a communication signal connection portion to connect the communication signal to the refrigerant pipe.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the communication unit may further include a communication signal coupling portion positioned between the communication signal converter and the communication signal connection portion to filter the communication signal and block noise and serge.

The communication apparatus may allow communication between the outdoor units according to the wireless communication method. Here, the outdoor unit or indoor unit receiving the wireless signal may be installed the closest to the central controller.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a communication method for an air conditioner performed via a communication apparatus, the air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal, a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, and the communication apparatus to perform communication with the central controller, the method including converting by the central controller a control command into a wireless signal, transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units, receiving the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to convert into the second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal, transmitting the second signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units, and transmitting the first signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a communication method for an air conditioner performed via a communication apparatus performing communication using a second signal, the air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, and at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal, the method including converting a control command into a wireless signal, transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to the outdoor unit, converting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal, transmitting the second signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor units, and transmitting the first signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, as signals with different frequency bands are used for communication between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit or communication between the outdoor unit or indoor unit and a central controller, signal interference can be avoided beforehand, thereby enhancing safety of a system. Also, the outdoor unit or indoor unit may perform communication with the central controller using a plurality of communication methods including a wireless communication method and a dedicated line communication method, thereby reducing limitations due to an installation environment, which results in an increase in efficiency of a system operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a typical multi-type air conditioner;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are schematic views showing a configuration of an air conditioner in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a result view showing forms of first and second signals based on time, when the first and second signals having the same frequency are transmitted via the same refrigerant pipe;

FIG. 5B is a result view showing forms of first and second signals based on time, when the first and second signals having frequency bands spaced from each other;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views showing a configuration of an air conditioner in accordance with another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart schematically showing a communication method for an air conditioner in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart schematically showing a communication method for the air conditioner of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart schematically showing a communication method for an air conditioner in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart schematically showing a communication method for the air conditioner of FIG. 8.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings where those components are rendered the same reference number that are the same or are in correspondence, regardless of the figure number, and redundant explanations are omitted. In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed explanation for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of the present disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understood the technical idea of the present disclosure and it should be understood that the idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings. The idea of the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes besides the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 7 and 8, an air conditioner according to this specification may include a plurality of indoor units 100 to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit 200 connected to the indoor units 100 via a refrigerant pipe 500 to drive the indoor units 100 using a first signal, a central controller 300 to control operations of the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor units 100 using a second signal whose frequency band is spaced from that of the first signal, and a communication apparatus 400 provided in the outdoor unit 200 or one of the indoor units 100 connected to the outdoor unit 200 to communicate with the central controller 300 using the second signal.

Here, the communication apparatus 400 may perform wireless communication with the central controller 300. Data transmission and reception between the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor units 100 may be performed by one communication method of a pipe communication or a dedicated line communication, other than the wireless communication.

The communication apparatus 400 may preferably be provided in the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100 which is located the closest to the central controller 300. For example, in case where the communication apparatus 400 is installed in an indoor unit installed the closest to the central controller 300, when the central controller 300 transmits a control command, such as run/stop, cooling/warming, air adjustment, and the like, to the indoor unit by using the wireless communication method, the indoor unit receives the control command and operates accordingly. Here, the central controller 300 may also transmit the control command to another indoor unit in which the communication apparatus 400 is not installed. In this case, when the central controller 300 transmits the control command to the indoor unit having the communication apparatus 400 by using the wireless communication method, the indoor unit which receives the control command may forward the control command to the corresponding indoor unit without the communication apparatus 400 by using the pipe communication or dedicated line communication other than the wireless communication.

Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may be connected to one outdoor unit 200, and the outdoor unit 200 may be provided with a communication apparatus 400. A central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310.

The outdoor unit 200 may transmit a control command to the second indoor unit 100 b as a first signal corresponding to a pipe communication signal by employing a pipe communication method. The central controller 300 may transmit the control command to the outdoor unit 200 as a wireless signal corresponding to a second signal by employing a wireless communication method. The communication apparatus 400 installed in the outdoor unit 200 may convert the wireless signal into the second signal, which is the pipe communication signal, and transmit the second signal to the first indoor unit 100 a.

FIG. 5A is a result view showing forms of first and second signals based on time when the first and second signals having the same frequency are transmitted via the same refrigerant pipe. As shown in FIG. 5A referring to FIG. 2, it can be noticed that when the outdoor unit 200 transmits the second signal to the first indoor unit 100 a and transmits the first signal having the same frequency to the second indoor unit 100 b via the same refrigerant pipe 500, signal interference is caused between the first and second signals. Hence, the control command transmitted to the first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b is unable to be completely restored, and accordingly the first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may erroneously operate. Here, the first and second signals have the same frequency whose center frequency is about 132 KHz.

FIG. 5B is a result view showing forms of first and second signals based on time when the first and second signals having frequency bands spaced from each other.

As shown in FIG. 5B referring to FIG. 2, it can be noticed that even when the outdoor unit 200 transmits first and second signals simultaneously to the first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b, signal interference is not caused between the first and second signals. Hence, the control command transmitted to the first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b is able to be completely restored, and accordingly the first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b can normally operate. Here, the first and second signals have different frequencies whose center frequencies are 86 KHz and 132 KHz, respectively. The first and second frequencies belong to CENELEC A band (9˜95 KHz) and CENELEC B band (95˜140 KHz) of the European frequency standards.

A bandwidth (BW) without causing the interference between the first and second signals may be decided by the following Formula 1.

$\begin{matrix} {{BW}\; E\frac{2}{T_{s}}} & {\langle{{Formula}\mspace{14mu} 1}\rangle} \end{matrix}$

Here, Ts denotes a sampling time of the first and second signals. The sampling time corresponds to a transmission time interval until transmission of the next control signal, with respect to the first and second signals. Therefore, the minimum bandwidth may be the double of an inverse number of the transmission time interval.

When the center frequencies of the first and second signals are first and second frequencies f1, f2, respectively, first and second frequency bandwidths BW1, BW2 should be smaller than (f2−f1)/2, in order for the first and second signals to have spaced frequency bands. For the purpose, in theory, the first signal should have a value of ‘0’ at the second frequency band and the second signal should have a value of ‘0’ at the first frequency band. However, for a communication system in which the first signal is smaller than the second signal by a predetermined size at the second frequency band, and the second signal is smaller than the first signal by a predetermined size at the first frequency band, the signal interference between the first and second signals may be avoided. Here, the predetermined size which can avoid the interference between the first and second signals may depend on the characteristic of the system, for example, have a value below 30 dB.

Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may be connected to one outdoor unit 200 with interposing a wall or floor therebetween, and a central controller 300 may be installed inside. Here, the communication apparatus 400 may preferably be installed in the indoor unit 100 b located the closest to the central controller 300. According to the illustrated embodiment, a signal attenuation due to a spaced distance can be reduced and the central controller 300 can be located inside.

The outdoor unit 200 may transmit a control command as a first signal corresponding to a pipe communication signal to the first indoor unit 100 a by employing a pipe communication method. When the central controller 300 transmits the control command to the first indoor unit 100 a, it may transmit the control command as a wireless signal to the second indoor unit 100 b by employing a wireless communication method. Afterwards, the communication apparatus 400 installed in the second indoor unit 100 b may convert the control command into a second signal corresponding to the pipe communication signal, and the second indoor unit 100 b may transmit the second signal to the outdoor unit 200. Here, since the first and second signals may use frequency bands spaced from each other, no signal interference may be caused between the first and second signals even if transmitted through the same refrigerant pipe 500.

Referring to FIG. 4, two pairs of indoor units, namely, first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b and third and fourth indoor units 100 c and 100 d may be connected to a pair of first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b, respectively, with interposing a wall or floor therebetween, and the first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b and the second and fourth indoor units 100 b and 100 d may include a communication apparatus 400, respectively. A central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310 and be installed inside.

The first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b may transmit a control command as a first signal corresponding to a pipe communication signal to the first and third indoor units 100 a and 100 c, respectively, using a pipe communication method.

When transmitting the control command to the first indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal and transmit the wireless signal to the fourth indoor unit 100 d, which is located the closest to the central controller 300, using a wireless communication method. The communication apparatus 400 installed in the fourth indoor unit 100 d may convert the wireless signal into a second signal as a pipe communication signal, and the fourth indoor unit 100 d may transmit the second signal to the second outdoor unit 200 b connected thereto via the refrigerant pipe 500. After reception of the second signal, the second outdoor unit 200 b may convert the second signal into the wireless signal and transmit the wireless signal to the first outdoor unit 200 a connected to the first indoor unit 100 a. Upon reception of the wireless signal, the first outdoor unit 200 a may convert the wireless signal into the second signal to transmit to the first indoor unit 100 a. Here, since the first and second signals use the frequency bands spaced from each other, no signal interference may be caused even if transmitted through the same refrigerant pipe 500.

The communication apparatus 400 may perform communications with the first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b using the first and second signals. Assuming that the second outdoor unit 200 b is a master and the first outdoor unit 200 a is a slave, the second outdoor unit 200 b may transmit the first signal to the first outdoor unit 200 a in form of the wireless signal. Also, the second outdoor unit 200 b may transmit the second signal transmitted from the central controller 300 to the first outdoor unit 200 a in form of the wireless signal.

Referring to FIG. 6, in an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units 100 to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit 200 connected to the indoor units 100 via a refrigerant pipe 500 to drive the indoor units 100 using a first signal, a central controller 300 to control operations of the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor units 100 using a second signal, and a communication apparatus to perform communication with the central controller 300, the communication apparatus 400 for the air conditioner may be installed in the outdoor unit 200 or one of the indoor units 100 connected to the outdoor unit 200. The communication apparatus 400 may perform communication with the central controller 300 by a wireless communication method, and convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a pipe communication method. The communication apparatus 400 may perform communication with the outdoor unit or the indoor unit using the first and second signals having frequency bands spaced from each other.

The communication apparatus 400 may include a wireless communication unit 410 to communicate with the central controller 300 by the wireless communication method, a signal converting unit 420 to convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method or the wireless signal into the second signal according to the pipe communication method, and a pipe communication unit 430 to communicate with the outdoor unit or the indoor unit using the first and second signals by the pipe communication method.

The wireless communication unit 410 may receive an operation command or control data for the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100 from the central controller 300 and forward the operation command or control data. The wireless communication unit 410 may employ any type of wireless communication method typically used. For example, the wireless communication unit 410 may use wireless LAN, RF communication, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication and the like.

The pipe communication unit 430 may include a data transmission/reception portion 431 to receive or transmit data from or to the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100, and a pipe communication signal converter 432 to convert the data into the pipe communication signal or the pipe communication signal into the data. A carrier frequency of the pipe communication signal may be set by considering a characteristic of the refrigerant pipe 500. That is, a frequency signal is connected to the refrigerant pipe 500 and a signal attenuation and external noise interference are reduced, thereby allowing use of a frequency band with higher communication reliability.

The data transmission/reception portion 431 may receive data, such as operation data and the like, from the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100, and transfer the data to the pipe communication signal converter 432. The pipe communication signal converter 432 may convert the data into the pipe communication signal to transfer to another outdoor unit or indoor unit via the refrigerant pipe.

The pipe communication unit 430 may further include a pipe communication signal connection portion 434 to connect the pipe communication signal to the refrigerant pipe 500. The pipe communication signal connection portion 434 may include a magnetic core to form a predetermined inductance with respect to the pipe communication signal so as to enhance communication reliability.

The pipe communication unit 430 may further include a pipe communication signal coupling portion 433. The pipe communication signal coupling portion 433 may be provided between the pipe communication converter 432 and the pipe communication signal connection portion 434 to filter the pipe communication signal and block noise and serge. The pipe communication signal coupling portion 433 may filter a signal by employing a non-isolated type inductor and a capacitor, or block external noise and serge by employing a transformer-isolated type transformer.

Referring to FIG. 7, a pair of first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may be connected to one outdoor unit 200 via a refrigerant pipe 500. The outdoor unit 200 and the indoor units 100 a and 100 b may transmit and receive data via a dedicated line 600. A central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310 and be installed adjacent to the second indoor unit 100 b.

The outdoor unit 200 may transmit a control command as a first signal corresponding to a dedicated line communication signal to the second indoor unit 100 b using a dedicated line communication method. When the central controller 300 transmits the control command to the first indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal by using the wireless communication unit 310, and transmit the wireless signal to the second indoor unit 100 b. The communication apparatus 400 installed in the second indoor unit 100 b may convert the wireless signal into a second signal as a dedicated line communication signal. The second indoor unit 100 b may transmit the converted second signal to the first indoor unit 100 a. Here, since the first and second signals use frequency bands spaced from each other, no signal interference may be caused between the first and second signals even if transmitted via the same dedicated line 600.

Referring to FIG. 8, two pairs of indoor units, namely, first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b and third and fourth indoor units 100 c and 100 d may be connected to a pair of first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b, respectively. The first and second outdoor unit 200 a and 200 b and the second and fourth indoor units 100 b and 100 d may include a communication apparatus 400, respectively. The central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310 and be installed inside.

The first outdoor unit 200 a may transmit a control command to the second indoor unit 100 b in form of (as) a first signal corresponding to a dedicated line communication signal using a dedicated line communication method. When the central controller 300 transmits the control command to the indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal and transmit the wireless signal to the fourth indoor unit 100 d the closest to the central controller 300 using a wireless communication method. The communication apparatus 400 installed in the fourth indoor unit 100 d may convert the wireless signal into a second signal corresponding to a dedicated line communication signal. The fourth indoor unit 100 d may then transmit the second signal as the dedicated line communication signal to the second outdoor unit 200 b connected thereto via the dedicated line 600. Upon reception of the second signal, the second outdoor unit 200 b may convert the second signal into the wireless signal to transmit to the first outdoor unit 200 a connected to the first indoor unit 100 a. Upon reception of the wireless signal, the first outdoor unit 200 a may convert the wireless signal into the second signal to transmit to the first indoor unit 100 a. Here, since the first and second signals use frequency bands spaced from each other, no signal interference may be caused between the first and second signals even if transmitted via the same dedicated line 600.

Referring to FIG. 9, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of indoor units 100 to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit 200 connected to the indoor units 100 via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units 100 using a first signal, a central controller 300 to control operations of the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor units 100, and a communication apparatus 400 to perform communication with the central controller 300. The communication apparatus 400 for the air conditioner may be installed in the outdoor unit 200 or one of the indoor units 100 connected to the outdoor unit 200 and may communicate with the central controller 300 by a wireless communication method. In detail, the communication apparatus 400 may convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a dedicated line communication method. Also, the communication apparatus 400 may communicate with the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100 using first and second signals having frequency bands spaced from each other.

The communication apparatus 400 may include a wireless communication unit 410 to communicate with the central controller 300 by the wireless communication method, a signal converting unit 421 to convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to a wireless communication method or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a dedicated line communication method, and a dedicated line communication unit 440 to communicate with the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100 using the first and second signals by the dedicated line communication method. Here, examples of the dedicated line communication methods may include serial communication, parallel communication, LAN communication and the like, and generally RS-485 communication method is employed.

The dedicated line communication unit 440 may include a data transmission/reception portion 441 to receive or transmit data from or to the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100, and a dedicated line communication signal converter 442 to convert the data into the dedicated line communication signal or vice versa. Also, the dedicated line communication unit 440 may further include a dedicated line communication signal connection portion 444 to connect the dedicated line communication signal to the dedicated line. The dedicated line communication unit 440 may further include a dedicated line communication signal coupling portion 443. The dedicated line communication signal coupling portion 443 may be provided between the dedicated line communication signal converter 442 and the dedicated line communication signal connection portion 444, and filter the dedicated line communication signal.

The data transmission/reception portion 441 may receive data from the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor unit 100 to transfer to the dedicated line communication signal converter 442, or transfer data received from the dedicated line communication signal converter 442 to the outdoor unit 200 or the indoor units 100. The dedicated line communication signal converter 442 may convert the data into the dedicated line communication signal or the dedicated line communication signal into the data to transfer to the data transmission/reception portion 441.

The dedicated line communication signal coupling portion 443 may block an affection of external noise or serge, or filter the dedicate line communication signal.

The dedicated line communication signal connection portion 444 may include a matching element to connect the dedicated line communication signal to the dedicated line.

Referring to FIG. 10, in an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal as a pipe communication signal, a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, and a communication apparatus to communicate with the central controller, a communication method for the air conditioner via the communication apparatus may include converting by the central controller a control command into a wireless signal (S110), transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to at least one of the indoor units and the outdoor unit (S120), converting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal corresponding to a pipe communication signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal (S130), transmitting the second signal as the pipe communication signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units via the refrigerant pipe (S140), and transmitting the first signal as the pipe communication signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units via the refrigerant pipe (S150).

The corresponding outdoor unit or indoor unit receiving the control command may operate based on the control command. Here, the wireless communication method may be at least one of common wireless communication methods, such as wireless LAN, RF communication, Bluetooth, IrDA communication and the like. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIG. 6, which show the configuration of the apparatus according to this specification.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pair of first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may be connected to the one outdoor unit 200, and the outdoor unit 200 may include the communication apparatus 400. Also, the central controller 300 may include the wireless communication unit 310. Here, the wireless communication unit 310 may convert a control command into a wireless signal (S110), and the central controller 300 may transmit the control command to the outdoor unit 200 using a wireless communication method (S120). The outdoor unit 200 may convert the control command into a second signal as a pipe communication signal having a frequency band spaced from that of a first signal (S130), and transmit the converted second signal as the pipe communication signal to the first indoor unit 100 a via the refrigerant pipe 500 (S140). The outdoor unit 200 may transmit the first signal as the pipe communication signal to the second indoor unit 100 b via the refrigerant pipe 500 (S150).

Referring to FIG. 3, the pair of first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may be connected to the one outdoor unit 200 with interposing a wall or floor therebetween, and the central controller 300 may be installed inside. The communication apparatus 400 may preferably be installed in the indoor unit 100 b located the closest to the central controller 300. This is advantageous in view of reducing signal attenuation due to a spacing distance and positioning the central controller 300 inside. For example, for transmitting a control command to the first indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal by using the wireless communication unit 310 installed therein (S110). The converted wireless signal may be transmitted to the communication apparatus 400 installed in the second indoor unit 100 b (S120). The control command received by the communication apparatus 400 may be converted into a second signal as a pipe communication signal (S130). Afterwards, the second indoor unit 100 b may transmit the converted second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of a first signal, to the outdoor unit 200 via the refrigerant pipe 500 using the pipe communication method (S140). The outdoor unit 200 may transmit the first signal to the first indoor unit 100 a via the refrigerant pipe 500 using a pipe communication method (S150).

Referring to FIG. 4, two pairs of indoor units, namely, first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b and third and fourth indoor units and 100 d may be connected to a pair of first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b with interposing a wall or floor therebetween, and the outdoor units 200 a and 200 b and the second and fourth indoor units 100 b and 100 d may include a communication apparatus 400, respectively. A central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310 and be installed inside. For example, for transmitting a control command to the first indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal and transmit the wireless signal to the fourth indoor unit 100 d located the closest to the central controller 300 using a wireless communication method (S110, S120). The communication apparatus 400 installed in the fourth indoor unit 100 d may convert the wireless signal into a second signal as a pipe communication signal (S130). The fourth indoor unit 100 d may transmit the converted second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of a first signal, to the second outdoor unit 200 b via the refrigerant pipe 500 using the pipe communication method (S140). The second outdoor unit 200 b may transmit the first signal to the third indoor unit 100 c via the refrigerant pipe 500 using a pipe communication method (S150).

Referring to FIG. 11, in an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, and at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal, a communication method for the air conditioner via a communication apparatus performing communication using a second signal may include converting a control command into a wireless signal (S210), transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to the outdoor unit (S220), converting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal (S230), transmitting the converted second signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor units via the refrigerant pipe using the pipe communication method (S240), and transmitting the first signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor units via the refrigerant pipe using a pipe communication method (S250).

Referring to FIG. 4, upon reception of the second signal, the outdoor unit 200 b may convert the second signal into the wireless signal to transmit to the first outdoor unit 200 a connected to the first indoor unit 100 a (S210, S220). The first outdoor unit 200 a may convert the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal (S230). The first output unit 200 a may transmit the converted second signal to the first indoor unit 100 a via the refrigerant pipe 500 using the pipe communication method (S240), and transmit the first signal to the second indoor unit 100 b via the refrigerant pipe 500 using the pipe communication method (S250).

Referring to FIG. 12, in an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor unit to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal as a dedicated line communication signal, a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, and a communication apparatus to communicate with the central controller, a communication method for the air conditioner via the communication apparatus may include converting by the central controller a control command into a wireless signal (S310), transmitting a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to at least one of the indoor units and the outdoor unit (S320), converting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal as a dedicated line communication signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal (S330), transmitting the converted second signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units via the dedicated line using the dedicated line communication method (S340), and transmitting the first signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units via a dedicated line using a dedicated line communication method (S350).

The corresponding outdoor unit or indoor unit which receives the control command may operate based on the control command. Here, the wireless communication method may be at least one of wireless LAN, RF communication, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication and the like. Also, examples of the dedicated line communication methods may include serial communication, parallel communication, LAN communication and the like, and generally RS-485 communication method is employed. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 which show the configuration of an apparatus according to this specification.

Referring to FIG. 7, a pair of first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b may be connected to one outdoor unit 200 via a refrigerant pipe 500, and the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor units 100 a and 100 b may transmit and receive data via a dedicated line 600. A central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310 and be installed adjacent to the second indoor unit 100 b. For example, for transmitting a control command to the first indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal by the wireless communication unit 310 to transmit to the second indoor unit 100 b (S310, S320). A communication apparatus 400 installed in the second indoor unit 100 b may convert the wireless signal into a second signal as a dedicated line communication signal (S330). The second indoor unit 100 b may transmit the converted second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of a first signal, to the outdoor unit 200 via the dedicated line 600 using the dedicated line communication method (S340). The outdoor unit 200 may transmit the first signal to the first indoor unit 100 a via the dedicated line 600 using a dedicated line communication method (S350).

Referring to FIG. 8, two pairs of indoor units, namely, first and second indoor units 100 a and 100 b and third and fourth indoor units 100 c and 100 d may be connected to a pair of first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b, respectively. The first and second outdoor units 200 a and 200 b and the second and fourth indoor units 100 b and 100 d may include a communication apparatus 400, respectively. A central controller 300 may include a wireless communication unit 310 and be installed inside. For example, for transmitting a control command to the indoor unit 100 a, the central controller 300 may convert the control command into a wireless signal and transmit the wireless signal to the indoor unit 100 d the closest to the central controller 300 using a wireless communication method (S310, S320). The communication apparatus 400 installed in the fourth indoor unit 100 d may receive the wireless signal and convert the wireless signal into a second signal as a dedicated line communication signal (S330). The fourth indoor unit 100 d may transmit the converted second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal, to the second outdoor unit 200 b via the dedicated line 600 using the dedicated line communication method (S340). The second outdoor unit 200 b may transmit the first signal to the third indoor unit 100 c via the dedicated line 600 using the dedicated line communication method (S350).

Referring to FIG. 13, in an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, and at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal, a communication method for the air conditioner via a communication apparatus performing communication using a second signal, may include converting a control command into a wireless signal (S410), transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to the outdoor unit (S420), converting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal (S430), transmitting the converted second signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor units via a dedicated line using a dedicated line communication method (S440), and transmitting the first signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor units via the dedicated line 600 using the dedicated line communication method (S450).

Referring to FIG. 8, upon reception of the second signal, the outdoor unit 200 b may convert the second signal into a wireless signal to transmit to the first outdoor unit 200 a connected to the first indoor unit 100 a (S410, S420). The first outdoor unit 200 a may convert the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal, which has a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal (S430). The first outdoor unit 200 a may transmit the converted second signal to the first indoor unit 100 a via the dedicated line 600 using the dedicated line communication method (S440). The first outdoor unit 200 a may transmit the first signal to the second indoor unit 100 b via the dedicated line 600 using the dedicated line communication method (S450).

The foregoing exemplary embodiments have employed the pipe communication method or the dedicated line communication method in addition to the wireless communication method. However, the present disclosure may not be limited to those methods. Alternatively, other wired or wireless communication methods such as a power line communication method and the like may also be employed.

As so far described, as signals with different frequency bands are used for communication between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit or communication between the outdoor unit or indoor unit and a central controller, signal interference can be avoided beforehand, thereby enhancing safety of a system. Also, the outdoor unit or indoor unit may perform communication with the central controller using a plurality of communication methods including a wireless communication method and a dedicated line communication method, thereby reducing limitations due to an installation environment, which results in an increase in efficiency of a system operation. 

1. An air conditioner comprising: a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning; at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor unit using a first signal; a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal; and a communication apparatus installed in the outdoor unit or one of the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit to communicate with the central controller using the second signal.
 2. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus performs communication between a plurality of outdoor units using the first and second signals.
 3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the communication apparatus allows communication between the outdoor units by converting the first and second signals into wireless signals.
 4. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus comprises: a wireless communication unit to perform communication with the central controller using a wireless communication method; a signal converting unit to convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method, or convert the wireless signal into the second signal according to a preset communication method; and a communication unit to communicate with the outdoor unit or the indoor units using the first and second signals.
 5. The air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the communication unit is a pipe communication unit to perform communication using the first and second signals according to a pipe communication method.
 6. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the pipe communication unit comprises: a data transmission/reception portion to receive or transmit data from or to the outdoor unit or the indoor unit; and a pipe communication signal converter to convert the data into a pipe communication signal or the pipe communication signal into the data.
 7. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the pipe communication unit further comprises: a pipe communication signal connection portion to connect the pipe communication signal to the refrigerant pipe; and a pipe communication signal coupling portion positioned between the pipe communication signal converter and the pipe communication signal connection portion to filter the pipe communication signal and block noise and serge.
 8. The air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the communication unit is a dedicated line communication unit to perform communication using the first and second signals according to a dedicated line communication method.
 9. The air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the central controller transmits or receives the wireless signal to or from the outdoor unit or the indoor unit installed the closest to the central controller.
 10. A communication apparatus for an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the outdoor unit using a first signal, and a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, wherein the communication apparatus is installed in the outdoor unit or one of the indoor units connected to the outdoor unit to perform communication with the central controller using a wireless communication method.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the communication apparatus converts the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method, or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a preset communication method, wherein the communication apparatus communicates with the outdoor unit or the indoor unit using the first and second signals having frequency bands spaced from each other.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the communication apparatus comprises: a wireless communication unit to perform communication with the central controller using a wireless communication method; a signal converting unit to convert the second signal into a wireless signal corresponding to the second signal according to the wireless communication method, or the wireless signal into the second signal according to a preset communication method; and a communication unit to communicate with the outdoor unit or the indoor unit using the first and second signals according to the preset communication method.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication unit is a pipe communication unit to perform communication using the first and second signals according to a pipe communication method.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pipe communication unit comprises: a data transmission/reception portion to receive or transmit data from or to the outdoor unit or the indoor unit; and a pipe communication signal converter to convert the data into a pipe communication signal or the pipe communication signal into the data.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pipe communication unit further comprises: a pipe communication signal connection portion to connect the pipe communication signal to the refrigerant pipe; and a pipe communication signal coupling portion positioned between the pipe communication signal converter and the pipe communication signal connection portion to filter the pipe communication signal and block noise and serge.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication unit is a dedicated line communication unit to perform communication using the first and second signals according to a dedicated line communication method.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the communication apparatus allows communication between the outdoor units by the wireless communication method.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the central controller transmits and receives the wireless signal to and from an outdoor unit or indoor unit located the closest thereto.
 19. A communication method for an air conditioner performed via a communication apparatus, the air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal, a central controller to control operations of the outdoor unit and the indoor units using a second signal, and the communication apparatus to perform communication with the central controller, the method comprising: converting by the central controller a control command into a wireless signal; transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units; receiving the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to convert into the second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal; transmitting the second signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units; and transmitting the first signal to at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor units.
 20. A communication method for an air conditioner performed via a communication apparatus performing communication using a second signal, the air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units to perform air conditioning, and at least one outdoor unit connected to the indoor units via a refrigerant pipe to drive the indoor units using a first signal, the method comprising: converting a control command into a wireless signal; transmitting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal to the outdoor unit; converting the wireless signal corresponding to the second signal into the second signal, the second signal having a frequency band spaced from that of the first signal; transmitting the second signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor units; and transmitting the first signal from the outdoor unit to at least one of the indoor unit. 